Batteries For Diesel Truck

I drive a 2015 F-350 with the 6.7 with a little over 100k on it. The lead acid batteries that it came with were garbage, but ran them until they died. Then replaced them with a set of AGM batteries from O'Reiley's (no choice, was stuck in Houston). Now they are dead.

So looked hard at Interstate and Optima (I'm an Interstate fan), and just ordered the Interstate AGM's. The Optima's were only $30 more per battery, but my gut said Interstate.
That's 2 sets of batteries in 6 years. I know I've been told that diesel's will chew up batteries, especially cheap batteries, but dadgum.

Question for you diesel owners: How much life are you getting out of your batteries, and what brands have been the best for you? Thanks in advance.

Have an AGM in my mini me diesel first one went 6 years. Replaced it with another AGM from walmart, an everstart, it has a 4 year free replacement warranty, but was $180 out the door. It is a big honking battery through.

Skinner there's only a few facilities that actually make batteries in the USA. They make multiple brands. Interstate and Optima if you want name brands. For those, in my opinion it's like picking between two same sized ice cubes about which one is better.

Otherwise just get the best version Walmart batteries and keep the receipt in the truck. Same for O'Reileys.

Right now the Interstate AGM's are $220/each.

The Optima Red Top's are $250/each.

I've heard that Optima used to be #1, then deteriorated, but now supposedly back on top again. I don't sell batteries anymore and have been out of the loop, so no idea.

When I had my 2014 Duramax I had the original factory batteries in it for almost 5 yrs before they went bad. I thought that was pretty good battery life. The factory battery in my 2020 F-250 gas truck only lasted 18 months and I replaced it last month. Optima brand are good batteries but even with them you can get a bad one. One ranch I managed we put them in all the Mules, Jeeps, Mini-trucks, etc and had one brand new go bad in less than a month. It was replaced for free though. I did have good luck on a replacement battery for diesel tractor on a Duralast battery I bought from Autozone.

I got about 4.5 years and 90K miles on my chevy factory batteries. I am now on my second set on my 2015 diesel.

You generally won't go wrong with either. It's a dice roll which one will last longer. Too many variables.

Three years on batteries in a diesel is bout right. The yellow top Optima will likely give you a few more deep cycle uses but really does not out perform the regular AGM batteries. On a diesel get the highest cold amps you can find (800 and above). What will flat kill an AGM or Optima (also AGM just different) is overcharging so check your alternator and system to make sure the charging system is throwing a spec charge.

I’ve never gotten more than 3 years from the batteries in my Ford diesels. Used to be just 2 years until the 2014, it got 3 years. The ‘19 is still on the original batteries, but will probably change them this winter. I have always just replaced with the Ford batteries, but was also thinking about AGM this time. Tired of the acid leaking and corroding the terminals and hold down bracket.

Yes Sir, first thing I did when my truck wouldn't start was put a meter on it before & after starting. Would not start at 12.36V, did a bunch of reading and 12.36V is about 75% fully charged. Put a charger on it and fired her up. Checked the voltage again to make sure it wasn't the alternator. While running I'm getting 14.2V, which is exactly what I'm supposed to be getting if the alternator is good. They just won't hold a charge overnight anymore. 12.36V will start a gasser, but not this diesel. It is the far superior 6.7 L Power Stroke, so I guess it takes fully charged batteries to crank the Mike Tyson of diesel engines.

Exactly why I went with AGM's. No more issues.

Not on a diesel but I had an interstate battery last for 13 years before it died, never seen any other battery last more than 4 years

Skinner, same truck and in the same exact boat.

Not surprised at all. I gave up on the Neverstarts from Wal-Mart decades ago because they never lasted, and went with Interstates. They are great batteries and have done me well.

I’m running the interstate AGM. Think I’m on year 5. FYI in normal temps You can start and run your truck off one incase you get stuck and half to hike a half a mile to a tractor with a dead battery. I was curious if it would start and run with one.

Aw heck. Hopefully didn't leave you stranded somewhere.

LOL, that's good to know.

Where do y’all buy the Interstate AGM batteries?

From my local Discount Auto Parts here in Rockport, Mom & Pop's. They don't keep them in stock, but can order them.

I’ve got 7 years and 170,000 miles on a refurbished set of Northstar AGM’s.

I paid $200 for $700 worth of batteries. It’s going to hurt when these need replacing

I looked hard at Northstar Lithium refurbs for my electric hunting buggy, but didn't pull the trigger. I want to buy new lithium batteries for it and be done, but $6k is too rich for my blood.

My electric buggy is still sitting in my garage waiting on me.

Interstate

Interstate still makes a good battery, but they don’t stand out like they used to. Johnson Controls is the mothership that builds them. I still have one shop running Interstates, and on Ford 6.7’s we get 3-4 years on them. We are very hard on batteries, and also buy a lot of group 31’s for the big engines. I have found over the years that Deka is somewhat longer lasting for us overall in the group 65’s (Ford 6.7) and also the group 31’s. The premium NAPA batteries come off the Deka line, and I keep an inventory of them in all my other shops, run them in my personal equipment and pay as well. All manufacturers produce batteries with different labels, but they are not all created equal. I’m not sure where the pickups end up with the replacement batteries, as we usually sell them with their second set of batteries in them at 4 years and 200,000-225,000 miles.

A timely post for me. The factory set lasted, I think, about four years. The second set is about done. My truck is a 2011 with just over 100k miles.

What’s the difference between group 65 and group 31? Are you using the NAPA AGM?

Group 31 is similar in size but taller than a group 65. The 31 uses 3/8 posts instead of the standard post on the 65. Might have to do some engineering to make them fit. The 31s will deep cycle a little better IMHO.

This is going to sound a bit crazy but I've had very good luck with all my vehicles, tractor, UTV, mowers, etc with batteries from Wal-Mart. Cheaper than all the others and last just as long.
Just put a set in my 05' duramax last year for about $225 and they come with 3 year free replacement which is as good a warranty as you can find nowadays

MTZ-65 comes with 4 year warranty, technically you pay for it though

I went with the Interstate AGM’s, picking up today.